Saif SC to play Team BJMC in opener on December 1

Saif Sporting Club will play Team BJMC in the opening match of the 13-team Independence Cup Football Tournament beginning on December 1 (Saturday) at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city, reports UNB.

The match will kick off at 5pm. Dhaka Abahani Limited, which earned the 2nd hat-trick title of the Federation Cup Football recently, will start their campaign taking on Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in a Group C match on Dec 02 (Sunday) at 3pm at the same venue.

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club will play newcomers big-budgeted Bashundhara Kings in a Group D match, also on Sunday at 5:15 pm at the same venue.

Thirteen teams, split into four groups, are initially taking part in the meet with three Federation Cup semifinalists Bashundhara Kings, Sheikh Jamal DC and Sheikh Russel KC putting in a tough death Group D.

On completion of Group matches on December 09, two top teams from each of the groups will play in the quarterfinals on Dec 11-14. The semifinal matches are scheduled for December 19-20 while the final will be held on Dec 24.

Groupings are: Group A: Saif Sporting Club, Arambagh KS and Team BJMC

Group B: Chattogram Abahani, Dhaka Mohammedan SC, Rahmatganj MFS and Nofel SC

Group C: Dhaka Abahani, Brothers Union and Muktijoddha Sangasd KC

Group D: Sheikh Jamal DC, Sheikh Russel KC and Bashundhara Kings.